Magic Johnson will make his college basketball on-air analyst debut at the Spartans' Tuesday night game against No. 1 Indiana.AP Photo

EAST LANSING — Michigan State's Breslin Center will be the "capital of the hoops world" on Tuesday night, according to ESPN commentator Dick Vitale.

The king of hoops hype sent that message via his Twitter account Sunday afternoon with the following tweet: "Tues @ 7 East Lansing capital of the hoops world - INDIANA # 1 vs MICHIGAN ST @JL23TV @MagicJohnson…''

The message contained a link to a "TV by the Numbers" story promoting ESPN's coverage of the game, which will include Spartans' legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson.

Michigan State and Indiana are tied atop the Big Ten standings with 11-2 conference marks heading into Tuesday's 7 p.m. tip. The Hoosiers (23-3) are ranked No. 1 and beat the Spartans (22-4), 75-70, on Jan. 27 in Bloomington, Ind.

Michigan State was ranked No. 8 in last week's polls, but the Spartans figure to move up after beating Michigan (75-52) and Nebraska (73-64).

While the Indiana-Michigan State game serves as the centerpiece of ESPN's coverage, the release is more about Vitale and Johnson showing a professional appreciation for one another, as Magic will be on hand to make his first appearance as a college basketball on-air analyst.

"From the time I was a high school basketball player in Michigan I was captivated by Coach Vitale’s spirit and passion,” Johnson said in the ESPN release. “I’ve been fortunate to have developed a wonderful relationship with him – one which is bonded by our common love of basketball. I have the utmost admiration and respect for Dickie V as a person, a basketball genius and a commentator and I can’t wait to call this game with him and Mike Tirico.”

Vitale, who recruited Johnson while head coach at Detroit, responded with the following praise of Magic in the ESPN release.

“I remember him as a kid so well,'' Vitale said in the release. "He was a basketball junkie, playing the game for hour after hour on the playgrounds. He became ‘Magic’ from his work ethic. I have always said if there was one player I wish I could’ve coached in my life it would be Earvin Magic Johnson. I am thrilled to be able to work with him and Mike Tirico. Although, I might have to remind him a few times that Indiana will be playing as well.”